The Future of Work with Gavin Eddy (Forward Space)

Introduction

In the mid‑2000s Gavin Eddy was living a classic metropolitan life. Then, “at 30 something,” he experienced what he jokingly calls a “mid‑life/love‑life crisis.” He quit his City banking job, left Shoreditch for rural Somerset and stumbled upon the nascent coworking scene in New York. Meeting the founders of early spaces – including Adam Neumann before WeWork – convinced him that the internet would fundamentally change where and how we work. Without the need to be tethered to a headquarters, people could choose to live in small towns yet continue ambitious careers. That insight led him to launch Forward Space in 2007 with a mission “to contribute to making the south‑west a more vibrant, more resilient and more ambitious place to live and work.” Nearly two decades later his business spans repurposed Victorian factories, a BREEAM‑Excellent building called Pixel, book clubs and meditation classes, and a commitment to flexibility and community.

This article explores how Forward Space’s experience illuminates broader trends shaping the future of work. Drawing on Gavin’s reflections alongside research on coworking and hybrid working, we examine the rise of flexible workspaces, the importance of thoughtful design and sustainability, the role of community, and the technological and societal shifts that will define work in 2030.

‍The rise of flexible coworking and regional growth

Coworking is no longer a niche. Recent industry data show that the UK alone had 3,949 coworking locations by mid‑2025 and the broader UK and Ireland hosted 4,315 flexible workspaces, making the region one of the most networked markets globally. Greater London accounts for roughly 1,191 spaces (about 30 % of the UK total), but regional cities such as Manchester (118 spaces), Birmingham (68) and Bristol (61) are expanding quickly. The market is maturing: occupancy rates average 80–90 % and contract lengths have grown to 22 months, indicating stability. Valued at £571 million in 2023, the UK coworking market is projected to reach £1.59 billion by 2030.

Growth is not confined to cities. The coworking industry’s Q3 2025 report notes that Britain’s smaller towns now host hundreds of spaces, reflecting professionals relocating from London and other metropolises. This regionalisation aligns with Forward Space’s mission. “We realised that when your job could be at the end of a fibre optic cable, you could live and work anywhere,” Gavin explained, and he built Forward Space to allow ambitious people to remain in the south‑west without sacrificing their careers. Flexible memberships, including pay‑as‑you‑go desks and private studios, appeal to solo freelancers and agile teams alike. Larger organisations are now seeking “a single platform that offers a wide choice of workspaces, broad geographic coverage, on‑demand convenience and centralised billing,” he noted. As a result, Forward Space is partnering with Werksy and other platforms to open its network to corporate users.

Design, sustainability and the importance of place

Unlike franchise‑style operators, Forward Space refuses to impose a template across its portfolio. Gavin believes each building should “respond to its location and be genuinely embedded in it.” Many sites occupy repurposed Grade II‑listed schools, warehouses and wharf buildings. Even Pixel, the firm’s first workspace in Cornwall, sits on the walls of a Victorian reservoir. This adaptive approach aligns with a broader industry shift toward sustainability and eco‑friendly design. Analysts expect sustainability to become a fundamental element of coworking operations rather than a trend. Future spaces will aim to minimise environmental impact through energy‑efficient systems, solar power, green materials and water‑saving technologies. Operators are experimenting with circular economy practices such as waste reduction and reuse. Forward Space’s reuse of heritage buildings and long‑term investments exemplify this ethos.

Design is not just about aesthetics. A growing body of research highlights the link between workspace layout, wellbeing and productivity. The Headspace Group notes that next‑generation coworking facilities will provide wellness‑focused features such as fitness centres, meditation rooms and on‑site healthcare. They will offer quiet corners for focused work, collaborative areas for brainstorming and relaxing zones with biophilic elements like plants and natural light. Forward Space already caters to design‑savvy clients who demand beautiful yet ergonomic spaces. Because the company owns most of its buildings, it can invest in high‑quality materials and equipment that last.

Building authentic community in an era of loneliness

Coworking isn’t merely about desks; it’s about belonging. Gavin emphasises that working remotely or running a small business can be lonely. To combat that, Forward Space organises “book clubs, table‑football, meditation classes and ‘Freelance Fridays.’” Community is a buzzword in coworking, but in Gavin’s view it must be approached carefully: “It has to be done authentically and in a way that doesn’t feel tired or like forced fun.” Instead of big events, Forward Space offers “little and often” experiences so members can find their tribe at their own pace. This principle is echoed in broader research: coworking spaces of the future will prioritise collaboration and innovation, with shared areas that encourage interaction and events like workshops and mentorship programmes. Such gatherings foster networking, spark creativity and help freelancers and entrepreneurs overcome isolation.

Flexible memberships and tech‑enabled access

Forward Space pioneered flexible access long before the pandemic made hybrid working mainstream. The model appeals to those needing occasional workspace and to corporations seeking fractional occupation (e.g., one day per week) and on‑demand meeting rooms. Gavin notes that the increasing demand for “fractional occupation” requires constant evolution of membership options. Central to this flexibility is technology. Forward Space operates on coherent.work, a software platform Gavin developed eight years ago that handles booking, invoicing and payment across the company’s network. The firm also collaborates with platforms such as NearU, Desana and Werksy, which allow users to use spaces and provide a single billing relationship. Industry observers predict that the “holy grail” for such platforms is real‑time resource availability, enabling users to see open desks, meeting rooms and amenities instantly.

These digital tools mirror broader workplace trends. As hybrid work becomes the norm, employees want ultimate flexibility. Over one in five job ads in the UK in July 2024 specified a hybrid option, signalling that hybrid work has become the new standard. Young workers feel the same: a Bright Network survey found that over 90 % of students want to work in an office environment at least two days a week. Flexibility extends beyond location. In the same report, 57 % of workers expect more flexible schedules, and 93 % of desk‑based workers prioritise schedule flexibility over location flexibility. Companies are also experimenting with four‑day weeks and staggered hours.

To support such flexibility, offices are being redesigned. Facilities will feature adaptable layouts that can be reconfigured for collaboration or focus. Decentralisation is another shift: rather than maintaining one headquarters, companies are embracing satellite offices, regional hubs and coworking spaces near employees’ homes. Managing these distributed sites requires cloud‑based systems and real‑time data capabilities that platforms like Coherent and Werksy provide.

Hybrid work, AI and the next generation of tools

Technology will play an even bigger role in the years ahead. Emerging tools such as artificial intelligence are already enhancing productivity: 70 % of managers report increased team productivity and 36 % of workers say AI improves efficiency. The proportion of British workers using generative AI at work has risen by 66 % in a year. These tools automate administrative tasks, analyse productivity patterns and even assist with hiring. For coworking operators, AI can optimise space usage, forecast demand and recommend membership packages. Gavin’s platform, Coherent, could integrate such features to provide real‑time availability and dynamic pricing.

Looking toward 2030: hospitality, wellbeing and the “mini‑high street”

When asked what workspaces will look like in 2030, Gavin painted a picture in which the distinction between work and home life blurs. He expects members’ expectations of home comforts to inform office design; future workspaces will feel more like hotel lounges or members’ clubs. Mobile technology will reduce the need for static workstations, and buildings will incorporate health and wellbeing offerings alongside food and beverage, resembling mini‑high streets. Moreover, spaces will be porous - meaning certain elements will be open to non‑members on demand. These predictions align with industry forecasts: the Headspace Group anticipates that wellness facilities and biophilic design will be standard and that coworking spaces will increasingly offer specialised resources for niche industries and global networks.

Hybrid work’s continued rise will support this evolution. The shift away from central offices toward distributed hubs means coworking venues will act as nodes in a broader network. They will host not only desks but cafés, gyms, retail and cultural events. As local communities become more self‑sufficient, coworking operators will play a role in urban regeneration - reviving old buildings, supporting local businesses and fostering vibrant neighbourhoods.

Conclusion

Forward Space’s story captures the spirit of the modern workplace. Gavin Eddy recognised early that broadband connectivity would free knowledge workers from city centres. By repurposing historic buildings, investing in sustainable design and curating authentic communities, his company has created places where entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote employees can thrive. Research confirms that flexible work and hybrid arrangements are now mainstream, that coworking markets are expanding across the UK and that sustainability, wellbeing and technology will define the next decade. 

As we look toward 2030, expect workspaces that feel like homes, offices and high streets rolled into one - dynamic environments where people can work, learn and connect. And expect pioneers like Forward Space and platforms like Werksy to continue shaping this landscape.